Freeman Expands International Investments

New regional HQ set to open in UK, acquires top talent to lead FreemanXP's growing International business
(May 22, 2014)

DALLAS, May 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --Freeman, the leading global partner for integrated marketing solutions for live engagements, has announced it is growing its global presence and increasing its investment in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe. To better service its customers, Freeman is opening a regional EMEA headquarters in Ryton on Dunsmore, Coventry, England while expanding its international experience marketing practice with the addition of two industry veterans.

Expanded Office Space

Freeman opened its first London-based office five years ago to support its growing international business.Nearly a year after the acquisition of the business and assets of SO Group in administration, Freeman's UK operations are now set to open a new 170,000 square foot, consolidated facility in Ryton this summer. The 20,000 square foot office facility will house sales, operations, marketing, HR, finance and management, with additional features including a 150,000 square foot purpose-built warehouse with a 5,000 square foot display area. The facility is set to open June 9, 2014 and will house approximately 275 employees.

"The UK is the world's fourth largest exhibition market and home to many of our top customers. Just over a year ago, we made the strategic decision to expand our business globally because so many of our customers were looking to extend their brand presence overseas," said Bob Priest-Heck, Freeman COO and incoming President. "Our commitment to make additional investments in facilities, employees and products not only strengthens Freeman's position in the UK, but it also ensures we are able to bring the best to our clients and partners across the globe."

Talent Investment

FreemanXP, the experience marketing agency within Freeman, recently hired industry veteran Kim Myhre in London to lead its international business expansion. Myhre is a recognized industry pioneer with more than 20 years of experience in marketing, brand strategy and events. He has earned industry-wide recognition as an innovative leader in integrated engagement marketing, and has worked with many of the world's leading brands in nearly every region of the world. Myhre was most recently CEO of Project: WorldWide and George P. Johnson EMEA where he led a network of agencies to deliver experiential campaigns throughout the world for brands such as BMW, Cisco, Salesforce.com and P&G.

Myhre is now joined at FreemanXP by Niru Desai and Jordan Waid as VP of Strategy, International and VP of Creative, International, respectively, to support FreemanXP's portfolio of integrated experience marketing solutions. Desai was formerly the Head of Strategy and Planning at George P. Johnson EMEA. Waid joined FreemanXP from MDLabs/Cheil Worldwide, where he served as Executive Creative Director, having previously been ECD at imagination. With the addition of Desai and Waid, FreemanXP continues to expand its strategic experience marketing capabilities to support new and existing customers worldwide. FreemanXP recently has been awarded two global contracts for Fortune 100 clients in the Healthcare and Energy sectors, two key areas of growth for the agency.

"It's an exciting time to be in the experience marketing industry," said Chris Cavanaugh, President of FreemanXP. "As the world becomes smaller and more connected, brands are becoming more global in nature and demand a global partner. The investment in talent of this caliber will allow Freeman and FreemanXP to create and deliver unparalleled worldwide solutions that engage audiences through an integrated mix of digital, social and face-to-face marketing solutions."

Desai will keep a finger on the pulse of what's new, next, and innovative in order to deliver a balance of industry knowledge and deep insights to clients. Whether at the country, industry or audience segment level, she specializes in delivering holistic event portfolio plans, measurement programs, and social media strategies that connect brands with target audiences in new and innovative ways. Waid's unique background of architecture, digital media, and lm will allow him to constantlychallenge experiential communication models with fresh ideas that engage at alllevels.

Since 1927, Freeman has been the premier provider of integrated experiential marketing solutions for live engagements including expositions, conventions, corporate events and exhibits. Headquartered in Dallas, with more than 70 offices in North America and the UK, Freeman produces more than 4,300 expositions annually, including 135 of the 250 largest U.S. trade shows, and 11,000 other events worldwide. Customer-driven, Freeman offers a total package of solutions, with a scope of products and services unmatched by the competition. An employee-owned company, Freeman places an emphasis on respect for people and providing unparalleled customer service. Freeman has received numerous trade show industry awards for excellence in leadership, creative design, community service, innovation and customer-driven partnerships. For more information, visit www.freemanco.com and www.freemanuk.com.

ABOUT FreemanXP

FreemanXP uses the power of social engagement to inspire audiences to action. Whether online or face-to-face, FreemanXP connects individuals and brands in ways that accelerate engagement and create transformational change on a global scale. FreemanXP is anexperience marketingboutique within the greater Freeman organization, offering a full range of marketing solutions from strategy and creative services through event/production management and measurement. For more information, visitwww.freemanxp.comor follow us@freemanxp.